Senior High Retreat in Freeport, Maine
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December 4-6
Looking into our Future; Loving the Christmas "Present"
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Our weekend retreat began at Tricia's house with a laughter-filled game & movie night. We (Cassy, Kassidy, Christian, Kim & Trish) were very excited to welcome Pat, Courtney, Chuck, and Brock to our crew for the opening night of our retreat. We watched part of "A Christmas Story"... you know, the classic Christmas movie involving the Red Ryder BB Gun, "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out", the famous "Italian" leg lamp, and a little brother who is either rolling around in the snow or stuffing his face full of mashed potato. Yeah, that movie!
We also played a round of Taboo featuring the unstoppable duo of Kassidy and Kim. We all know Kassidy will fight (kindly! :) ) to be on her mother's team at that game. Pat & Courtney gave them a run for their money, and, when it was all said and done, might have come up with the win. Those two are a pretty great duo, too! Then came Apples to Apples, a must if you're having a get-together with Cassy. Yes, she travels with it in her car. :) She admitted it. We all have our different Apples to Apples style. Some of us go funny. Some of us go "trump". But you can always count on Chuck to move the game along when it's after midnight and Kim to be laughing her face off, well, anytime! But especially in the wee-am hours.
It is said the Sr. Highs slept that night after lights out, but I'm not so sure. ... JK
Saturday morning, we got up real early and headed out to visit one of our absolute favorite camp counselors, Danielle Blais, at the University of Maine at Farmington. She took us on a tour of the University, then we ate at the cafeteria, and went back to her RD dorm room for a game of Cranium Dice and an engaging discussion of our futures, how we think about them, and how we can use the gifts we have to plan for a future involving God and God's creation in service, no matter where we are or go.
After Farmington, Velma & John welcomed us in their beautiful home in Auburn for an amazing, warm, and home-cooked meal. Chuck also met us there for some chats about planning for and being concious of our spiritual well-being when we head off to school/work/military/etc... in the future. He also gave us a great movie suggestion, The Blind Side, which we took and enjoyed late into Saturday night. We were near Christian's stomping grounds so he guided us everywhere we went and we trusted all his leads. Thanks, Christian... and for all the laughs you provided, too! (ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho... Ho, Ho, HO, Grammy)
Sunday morning we awoke to breakfast prepared by Sheila & Bob, and began making Christmas cards to send over-seas to our troops. Kassidy's brother, Brandon, is in Afghanistan right now. So, we're sending all the cards that were made at both the Jr. and Sr. High retreats in a package to the group he is with. We're very excited to serve in this way.
Many thanks to Mark for teaching the Sr. High Sunday school class and everyone who participated in our Sunday morning worship. Christian and Kassidy aptly and smoothly presided over a great worship included Communion and the lighting of the advent candles of Love and Hope. Awesome job, guys!
As you'll see in the pictures, we tried to be very creative. I think it worked.
Thank you to all who contributed for such an enriching, meaningful, and fun-filled weekend. Great to see you all. We'll be back in Freeport real soon!
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